During Wednesday’s White House press conference, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre affirmed that Vice President Kamala Harris was chosen for her role because “she is indeed the future of the party.” This statement comes as many consider Harris a potential replacement for Biden as the Democratic nominee following his poor performance at CNN’s presidential debate.
Jean-Pierre was questioned about Biden’s 2020 campaign comments, in which he referred to himself as a “transition candidate” and a “bridge to the next generation of Democratic leaders.” This scrutiny has intensified due to concerns about Biden’s age following the debate.
WH press sec says one of the reasons Biden picked Kamala "is because she is indeed the future of the party." pic.twitter.com/joNVME6vup
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 3, 2024
Jean-Pierre reiterated that Biden’s statement remains true, adding, “one of the reasons why he picked the Vice President Kamala Harris is because she is indeed the future of the party.”
She continued, “And he’s very proud to have partnered with her, and continue to partner with her, in delivering an unprecedented record for the American people. And I think he’s gonna continue, certainly, to do that, they’re going to do that as partners. Like I said, I just saw them before walking into the briefing room, they stopped by to talk to me and my team, and they’re ready to go. They’re ready to continue.”
When asked whether the transition period would be in eight years rather than four, Jean-Pierre declined to “get into speculation.”
Jean-Pierre was also queried about Biden’s current sharpness compared to when he first took office. She responded that Biden remains “strong and resolute in delivering for the American people,” and asserted that he is “as sharp as ever.” She added that when she interacts with him in the White House or on Air Force One, she must always be “on top of my game.”
A shift towards the vice president may be in the works, after a CNN poll found that Harris is polling closer to Trump than Biden.
